Menendez v. Hugin: Is this really the best Jersey can do? | Moran

Democratic voters on Tuesday staged a revolt against the party establishment by giving nearly 40 percent of their vote to Lisa McCormick, an unknown challenger against Sen. Robert Menendez.

The party bosses gave Menendez 100 percent of their vote, endorsing him in all 21 counties. They have no ethical standards when it comes to the boys on the team. If you're not in jail, you're fine.

Menendez barely cleared that bar. After a jury couldn't reach a verdict in his corruption trial, prosecutors dropped charges in February. So, he squeaked by, but not until the world heard all about his free private jets to the Caribbean, his free weekends in Paris, and his concierge work on behalf of the friend who paid those bills. That was enough to earn a "severe admonishment" from a unanimous and bipartisan Senate Ethics Committee.

Republicans, though, came to the rescue by nominating someone voters may find even more distasteful, the former pharmaceutical CEO, Bob Hugin.

Hugin's is an enthusiastic supporter of the child president who would be king. He was a delegate for Donald Trump at the 2016 party convention and has donated more than $200,000 to his cause.

He's trying to create some distance on safe issues, like Sandy aid and drilling for oil off Jersey's coast. But, please, a win by Hugin would undeniably strengthen Donald Trump's hand as he tries to dismantle our democracy and divide us into warring tribes.

Hugin has ethical baggage, too. His company, Celgene, is among the worst actors on drug pricing. And it settled a lawsuit for a whopping $400 million after one its top salespeople accused the company of hiding what it knew about potentially fatal side effects of its cancer drugs.

This race will be painful. Both men will go negative, since both present such ripe targets. Whatever you decide, get ready to hold your nose on Election Day.